Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to respond to my previous question. Due to some great input, we've modified her plans. 2 weeks in Ireland. My wife, who is an artist, my 8-year-old grandson and I are going to do the driving tour. We fly into Dublin, and then will stay in Dun Longhaire for 3 days, seeing the sights in Dublin. Then were going to drive to Kinsale, where we will spend 4 nights. Our to Kinsale will go through the Wicklow Mountains and we plan on stopping in Glendalough. I realize that that drive is going to be an all day affair, and we really want you much in the Wicklow Mountains. Will do day trips out from Kinsale. Then we traveled to Dingle for 3 nights stay, and then on to Galway for another 3 nights stay. The last evening we will spend just outside Dublin in order to catch a plane the next morning. We have our accommodations worked out.
Given the great feedback I received on this website, am posting this to see if anyone has any additional comments or ideas about places to see, or things to do. Thank you so much!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
My suggestion is that on your drive from Dun Laoghaire you try to get on the road as early as possible so as to arrive at Glendalough well before 9:30 when the visitor center opens ... and when the tour buses and crowds start to arrive. The monastic ruins are always open, so by getting there early you'll have the place all to yourselves and it will be a much more pleasant experience for you and your family. Only caveat is to be aware that the bathrooms are located inside the visitor center.
A particularly scenic way to get to Glendalough is via the Old Military Road via the Sally Gap (the R 115 on the map). From Dun Laoghaire you can access it by taking the exit towards Powerscourt and continuing west. It's a rural, narrow road but quite pretty on a sunny day, and with several scenic pulloffs from which to take in the views.
Same advice for Dingle and Galway - ie an early start is always a good idea.
For visits to the Kerry Cliffs and the pretty seascapes over near Kilkee your wife might prefer the light of late afternoon and early evening when the setting sun will show the beautiful settings to best their advantage for an artistic eye.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3561 posts
Are you a fan of Irish music??? If so, The Dingle Music Shop is a must do. They have inexpensive concerts several nights a week. Go! I took my two girls and they loved it. Lots of great local musicians. Even had one of the Irish dancers from Riverdance.
The shop is a bit hidden off the main harbor drag through town, sorta in a side alley.
Posted by
bedford, indiana
459 posts
looks great, try to locate a "hawk walk" somewhere near your travel plans. Your grandson, and you, will love it. We did the one up near Cong and it was awesome....search around on the web for various hawk walk locations, there are several around the west I know of. Your plans look great.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
jarrardd- Thanks for the comments. Glenlo Abby (where we are staying in Galway) has a Falcon experience - so I hope he enjoys that!. I will definitely look for a "hawk walk" .
Posted by
bedford, indiana
459 posts
falcon experience basically the same thing!!